Mission: Seduce the Master!

Xie Qing was, to put it mildly, surprised. Lu Yin's physical strength, considering her cultivation level, was very... terrifying.

This advantage gave her the ability to deprive her opponents of their balance, and if someone was weaker than her, she could even crush them.

"Hm... why don't you study martial arts?" Xie Qing asked, merely parrying her attacks. He smiled, looking at Lu Yin's body: "Although you look slender and weak, your physical strength is amazing. I think if you practiced martial arts, you could easily defeat your enemies."

"Martial... arts?" Lu Yin repeated, puzzled, and her sword froze in the air.

"Indeed. To be honest, you have more potential in martial arts than in the Dao of the Sword, do you understand? It would be too wasteful not to use your abilities to the fullest," Xie Qing explained and looked at Liu Yan: "I'm right, Miss, aren't I?"

"Absolutely right," Liu Yan nodded.

She had been distracted from her book, not finding anything suitable, and decided to take a walk. There, she saw these two sparring and decided to observe them for a bit.

And, to be honest, Liu Yan was genuinely surprised at how easily Xie Qing parried Lu Yin's attacks. This was not about the strength of a Soul Integration cultivator, but his skills.

Every move seemed to be calculated hundreds of steps ahead, which once again shocked Liu Yan, who could not believe the existence of such talent.

Xie Qing's development speed in some moments was even higher than that of Xu Mei, but it was unfair to compare them, as Xu Mei grew in dangerous conditions, and her potential ignited due to strong opponents.

And if not considering a few incidents, Xie Qing grew in almost greenhouse conditions, which should have slowed down his growth.

"Hm-hm... indeed, Xu Mei's disciple speaks the truth, Lu Yin," Liu Yan said after a short silence. She looked at her disciple and gently smiled: "Of course, if you like the Dao of the Sword, you can study it."

"Eh..."

Lu Yin didn't even know what to say. She studied the path of the sword only because she needed a means of self-defense. After all, there were not always guards around her who could save her.

Moreover, it would be too shameful if someone at her cultivation level could not even fight properly.

Therefore, it didn't matter to her – the sword or martial arts, the main thing was that it helped her in the future.

"Hm? Well, I don't know, I haven't studied martial arts that deeply..." Xie Qing replied and showed only a few strikes, which were too superficial: "I don't have a strong interest in martial arts, because my style is the sword and Qi. So, I can't help you with that... I'm sorry."

"It's okay, really," Lu Yin waved her hands, urging Xie Qing not to apologize: "But, can we still train with swords, right?"

"Of course."

Xie Qing and Lu Yin both smiled and continued to fight each other for about five more hours.

Liu Yan watched them the whole time and was pleasantly surprised to see how quickly Lu Yin's skills improved.

"It seems this boy is really special."

***

Xu Mei waved her hand, creating a stunning vortex that grew in size with each second.

They were on an open training ground the size of a soccer field. Above their heads was a dome – a barrier erected by Zhang Mei.

Beyond the training ground, the trio (Liu Yan, Zhang Mei, and Lu Yin) watched the training.

"And what is all this for?" Lu Yin asked warily, noticing the strict protection. She was shocked, thinking, "Are they really that strong?"

"Xu Mei wants to help her disciple enter the second stage of Soul Integration with exhausting training," Zhang Mei replied and, after a pause, added: "Moreover, the vortex she summoned consists not of wind, but of Sword Aura. It can be very dangerous."

"Sword Aura?! B-but... there is a chance that..."

"The boy will die," Liu Yan continued with a weak sigh: "Of course, Xu Mei will not allow this, but I am still against such dangerous methods. Why is this young man in such a hurry?"

"Eh..."

Lu Yin was puzzled. Was this Xie Qing's request? There was something abnormal in the head of this guy, who looked like a possessed person, trying to break through to the next cultivation levels.

Lu Yin even got the feeling that someone was chasing him. Of course, there were devilish cultivators, but Xie Qing always looked calm when he talked about them.

"Who is he so afraid of?" she wondered, but found no answers.

In the distance...

"I'm giving you the last chance to reconsider, disciple. This method is dangerous, and most likely, you will lose one or two limbs. I strongly advise against using it," Xu Mei said with a sour face, looking at Xie Qing in a white robe.

"Master, I am resolute about this. Please forgive me for my stubbornness, but I believe that only danger can make me break through to the next stage of Soul Integration," Xie Qing replied with a serious expression, his heart softened when he noticed Xu Mei's concern: "I swear, everything will be fine with me.

Besides, Miss Liu Yan is here, who can heal me in case of emergency, even if I lose two or three limbs."

"Sigh... why are you in such a hurry? Do you know, you have your whole life ahead of you..."

Xu Mei looked upset and reluctant. She kept the vortex under control, so it still hadn't reached Xie Qing. She felt unwell, knowing that Xie Qing could be harmed because of this.

Xie Qing fell silent. The reason for his hasty actions... he didn't even know it himself. It was just a feeling.

And never before in his entire life had his sixth sense been wrong. If it screamed that he needed to become stronger as soon as possible, then there must be a reason for it.

Seeing that Xie Qing was silent, Xu Mei could only click her tongue at his stubbornness.

"Fine, I see your determination. But don't cry into your pillow later, complaining that your Master crippled you!" Xu Mei said with slight displeasure and shouted: "Begin!"

Xie Qing smiled and said: "I won't blame the Master, even if she kills me."

"..."

Xu Mei lost her voice, but she didn't have time to scold him for such words when the vortex already engulfed him. All that remained was to wait for him to come out.

The woman began to carefully monitor the situation.

The trio also observed this situation, and Lu Yin's heart couldn't help but tighten with worry. She was even glad that Li Yuilan was not here today.

After all, who knows what would happen to her if she saw the suffering of her beloved?

"Beloved, huh?" Lu Yin twisted her lips, feeling a slight bitterness, which she took for the aftereffects of the pill.

***

The Sword Aura Vortex. What does it feel like?

Well, imagine that hundreds of thousands of sharp knives are passing over your entire body, and there is poison on their tips that makes you experience unbearable pain. That's what it is.

Xie Qing sat in the lotus position, and his hair fluttered in the wind. His appearance was extremely pitiful – his clothes had many small and large cuts, from which blood was flowing.

Xie Qing himself tried to heal himself, covering his large wounds with his Qi, but he was distracted by new cuts.

"How hard it is..." Xie Qing muttered, and blood flowed from the corners of his mouth.

His condition was deplorable. The training was focused on bringing the physical body to its limit and absorbing all the Sword Aura into oneself to raise the level.

Although it sounded very simple, he would have to work hard to endure this trial.

Taking a deep breath, the young man focused on absorbing the Sword Aura into his body.

The most annoying property of the Sword Aura was that it interfered with the healing of wounds, and the natural regeneration of the body slowed down many times.

A slight dizziness led Xie Qing to lose concentration. Opening his eyes, he saw that several fingers of his hands had been cut off.

Was it painful? Undoubtedly. Although he felt uncomfortable seeing his pitiful state, the pills would help him return to his previous appearance one way or another.

Clicking his tongue, Xie Qing began to absorb the Sword Aura, ignoring the pain.

If he passed this test, he would not only break through to the second stage of Soul Integration, but also greatly improve his Sword Aura and physical body, strengthening it.

Thanks to these advantages that shone for him, Xie Qing could restrain his scream. After all, no matter how much tolerance to pain you have, it was still hard to endure.

Xie Qing closed his eyes and fell into a deep state of Dao enlightenment. Even the pain could not awaken him.

"Dao of Solitude – my only path"

"Woven from pain, turned into pain"

"Killed, but not defeated. Defeated, but not killed."

"Living in eternal curse..."

"..."

Unconsciously... Xie Qing began to mutter a hitherto unknown mantra, from which a mysterious aura emanated.

Beyond the vortex...

"What is it? Why are clouds gathering here?" Xu Mei was surprised.

The trio also noticed this. Zhang Mei's expression became shocked.

"These are... signs of Heavenly Lightning!"

"W-what?!"